Anantapur: AP Legislative Council deputy chairman Sathish Kumar Reddy will shave off his beard on January 11 after the waters of the Krishna river from the Gandikota reservoir are released to Pulivendula in Kadapa district.
This dramatic gesture is a result of an oath Mr Reddy took last year to ensure that irrigation reaches Pulivenud-ula, the home turf of YSR chief Jaganmohan Reddy. He convinced Chief Minister Chandr-ababu Naidu and irrigation authorities to take up the work on a war footing.
Water was released from the Galeru Nagari Sujala Shravanthi main canal to Owk Reservoir and towards Gandikota two-and-a-half months ago. The Gandikota reservoir had received nearly 3 TMC ft.
However, the people from 14 villages that would get submerged as part of the project have been protesting since the past one week and demanding a rehabilitation package. The YSRC party and other organisations supported the villagers.
The government then issued orders sanctioning a Rs 479 crore rehabilitation package for the villagers in the 14 villages surrounding the Gandikota project area and the villagers ended their three-day-long protest.
Mr Sathish Reddy accuses YSRC chief Jaganmohan Reddy and others of creating hurdles for the successful project. "Mr. Jagan has no sympathy for farmers who are reeling under severe drought in Pulivendula for many decades. Our chief minister initiated irrigation of lands in the Pulivendula area," he said.
Chief Minister Chandra-babu Naidu will release water to Pulivendula on January 11. Mr. Reddy is planning to shave off his long beard soon after the programme, at a local temple or on the banks of the canal, to mark his victory.
